1st Test | July 30, 2025 | Harare
🗓️ Match Date: July 30 – August 3, 2025
📍 Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare
🏆 Format: Test Match – 5 Days
🕘 Start Time: 9:30 AM local time
📰 Match Preview: Zimbabwe vs New Zealand, 1st Test – 2025
The cricketing spotlight shifts to Harare Sports Club as Zimbabwe hosts New Zealand for the 1st Test of their 2025 bilateral series, starting July 30, 2025. This marks New Zealand’s return to Zimbabwe for a red-ball fixture after a long hiatus, and both teams will look to make a strong impression.
Zimbabwe, under their newly appointed captain, is looking to rebuild a competitive Test unit. On the other hand, New Zealand enters the series with momentum, having shown solid performances in their recent home and away games.
🔍 Key Details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Match | Zimbabwe vs New Zealand, 1st Test |
| Date | July 30 – August 3, 2025 |
| Venue | Harare Sports Club, Harare |
| Start Time | 9:30 AM (Local Time) |
| Broadcast | FanCode (India), Sky Sport (NZ), ZBC (Zimbabwe) |
Squads:
Zimbabwe Squad: Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, Nick Welch, Craig Ervine(c), Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Clive Madande(w), Vincent Masekesa, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu, Newman Nyamhuri, Tanunurwa Makoni, Tanaka Chivanga, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Roy Kaia
New Zealand Squad: Devon Conway, Will Young, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell(w), Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner(c), Nathan Smith, Ajaz Patel, Matt Henry, William ORourke, Jacob Duffy, Matthew Fisher, Michael Bracewell
🔥 Players to Watch
- Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe): A seasoned campaigner who can turn the game with both bat and ball.
- Kane Williamson (New Zealand): The elegant right-hander will be pivotal against Zimbabwe’s spin-heavy attack.
- Blessing Muzarabani: Zimbabwe’s pace spearhead has the potential to trouble the Kiwi top order.
- Rachin Ravindra: In form, and expected to anchor the middle-order with his versatility.
📈 Pitch & Weather Report – Harare Sports Club
- Pitch: Typically slow with help for spinners from Day 3 onward. First innings runs are crucial.
- Weather: Mostly sunny with little chance of rain. Temperatures between 20°C–28°C throughout the match duration.
📊 Head-to-Head Stats (Tests)
- Matches Played: 7
- New Zealand Wins: 5
- Zimbabwe Wins: 0
- Draws: 2
🧠 Match Prediction
New Zealand clearly enters as the favorite, but Zimbabwe’s home advantage and recent focus on red-ball cricket could make things competitive if their top order fires. Expect a tough contest in the middle overs with spinners playing a vital role.
